Lifeguard trainer killed by shark at beach she had used for 14 years

epa04152227 An undated handout picture made available by the New South Wales (NSW) Police on 03 April 2014 shows Australian Chris Armstrong seen next to a building at an unknown location. NSW Police said the local woman was swimming with friends, reportedly training for an annual ocean event, when she disappeared on 03 April. The woman in her 60s, from the beachside town of Tathra, 420 km south of Sydney, was swimming with a group off the popular local beach when a shark attacked her and dragged her below the water, witnesses said. EPA/NSW POLICE MEDIA AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT – BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY

A lifeguard trainer was killed by a shark as she swam from a wharf to a beach in Australia.

Christine Armstrong vanished beneath the waves as witnesses reported seeing a shape in the water, which measured up to 4m (13ft) long.

The 63-year-old was one of a group of friends who would meet up to swim the 600m to the beach each morning in the village of Tathra, 340km (210 miles) south of Sydney.

Hundreds of swimmers tackle the same route every summer at an event called the Tathra Wharf to Waves.

‘It’s a beautiful little coastal village and this is one of those sad things that can happen,’ said Leanne Barnes, general manager at the local council.

Mrs Armstrong’s family said she had been a regular at the beach for 14 years.

‘Swimming brought her much joy and many friends,’ they added. ‘She will be sadly missed by all who loved her, especially by Rob, her husband of 44 years.’

A boat is searching for her body.

Meanwhile, police have found remains of a 38-year-old diver reported missing last week near Perth. He had shark bites but it was unclear whether they were inflicted before or after he died.